Blog Posts by SHAPE magazine

New Balance Audio NB639 headphonesGizmos and gadget and Garmins, oh my! In the market for some new workout swag? These high-tech tools will help you to get motivated and check your progress as you head out on your fitness journey. Here are our five favorite:

1. Our favorite sleek new earbuds (left): New Balance Audio's NB639 Fitness Evolved Headphones ($99.99 at iHomeAudio.com; iPod Nano not included) feature a one-touch heart rate monitor, pedometer, and stop watch. It provides real-time voice-over feedback on heart rate, caloric burn, steps taken, and distance without pausing your music or your workout! You can also manage and graph your exercise data using the included Heart Pal software and your home computer.




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Garmin Forerunner2. Our favorite for the triathlete: The Garmin Forerunner 910XT Multisport GPS Training Watch ($399.95 for pre-order at HeartRateMonitorUSA.com; out February 2012) is a multi-sport heart rate monitor that provides metrics for swimming, running,

Fill up the healthy way with these tips!We know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but what we don't know about the morning meal could inadvertently be packing on the pounds! We consulted with health expert Dr. Lisa Davis, Vice President of Scientific and Clinical Affairs at Medifast, to expose some of the biggest breakfast no-nos.
1. Fill up the healthy way: Davis says pancakes and waffles are a no-no for breakfast, especially when accompanied by sugary syrup. "Instead, try a whole-grain cereal or toast, and try to get some protein in the form of low-fat or fat-free yogurt, lean meat, or egg whites," she says. "You'll feel fuller for longer."







You don't have to give up your morning cup of coffee. 2. Don't give up your coffee: You don't have to give up your morning cup of Joe, even if you're vying for a healthier diet. "Unless you have sensitivity to caffeine or a medical condition that makes it unwise to consume it, coffee can be a delicious and natural way to boost your mood and your brain function," Davis says. "If you need more than a cup or two to get going in

Butternut squash soupYou might follow the perfect healthy diet all day long, but when late-night hunger strikes, a bad snacking decision is a quick way to throw your hard work out the window. These famous chefs reveal what they cook to satisfy their post-dinner hunger pangs, while still keeping calories in check.

1. Christine Avanti: Butternut Squash Soup If you're hungry right before bedtime, whip up this creamy soup recipe by Christine Avanti, Health Consultant on Food Network's new show Fat Chef and author of Skinny Chicks Eat Real Food. Using low-fat Greek yogurt and sweet corn, she reinvented this classic comfort food so it's only 190 calories per serving.

"Butternut squash provides dietary fiber, which is essential for losing weight," Avanti says. "This soup is a great way to boost your fiber intake if you did not get enough throughout the day. Although it has a subtle hint of sweetness, it's low in sugar. It provides significant amounts of potassium, important for reducing water retention."

This is your brain on...exercise!Getting your sweat on does more than just tone the outside of your body-it also causes a series of chemical reactions that help with everything from your mood to your memory. Learning what is happening in your brain can help you use it to your advantage.

1. A smarter brain. When you exercise you are stressing your body's systems. This mild stress starts a chain reaction to repair the damage by causing your brain to generate new neurons, especially in the hippocampus-the area in charge of learning and memory. These denser neural connections lead to a measurable increase in brainpower.

2. A younger brain. Our brains begin to lose neurons starting at about age 30, and aerobic exercise is one of the few methods proven to not only stop this loss but build new neural connections, making your brain operate like one much younger. And this is beneficial regardless of age, as research shows that exercise helped improve cognitive function in the elderly.

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Greek yogurtThey say that abs are made in the kitchen. If you're working hard toward a six-pack, why not start stocking up on these foods today?

1. Plain or Greek yogurt: We all know that yogurt is good for us, but did you know it's also good for maintaining your flat abs? For a nice mid-section, nutritionist and owner of Essential Nutrition For You Rania Batayneh says to reach for the kind that's plain flavored or Greek. "The probiotic bacteria in most yogurts help keep your digestive system healthy, which translates into a lower incidence of gas, bloating, and constipation, which can keep your tummy looking flat."




Whole grains2. Whole grains: Set aside the white bread and rice and swap them in for whole grains such as 100-percent whole wheat bread, lentils, and brown rice. "A recent study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that a calorie-controlled diet rich in whole grains trimmed extra fat from the waistline of obese subjects," registered dietitian Erin Palinski says. "This may be due to

Any foodies out there? We've rounded up seven of the best and most unique restaurants worldwide to expand your healthy eating horizons. Here (in no particular order) are our seven picks for the restaurants you just have to try before you die:


This restaurant is cool as ice--literally!1. Cool as ice: Icebar Restaurant: Located inside the Snow Village resort in Finland, Icebar Restaurant offers diners stuff like potato soup with smoked salmon and tender reindeer. But you'll have to sit on solid-ice tables and chairs. If you're planning to visit, dress appropriately.













Have you ever wanted to try eating dinner underwater? Now you can!2. Superb setting: Ithaa Undersea Restaurant: Located on Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Ithaa Undersea Restaurant boasts the most unique setting for any eatery we've ever seen. The underwater establishment is 16 feet below sea level with 180-degree views of reef and marine life. You can go there for lunch or dinner, but don't forget to make a reservation first! Dinners typically run around $320 and lunches, $195 per person. Wow!









For the history buffs, try Crossbar in New York.3. Historical context: Crossbar: This

Wearing makeup to the gym is a major no-no. But often, busy women don't have time to wash their faces clean before stepping onto the treadmill. When you absolutely need to cheat, try these beauty products we personally tested, which won't trigger irritating post-gym breakouts, even if you wear them throughout your sweat session.

the best sweat-proof concealer.1. The best concealer: Made without mineral oils or artificial coloring agents, NUXE Touche Prodigieuse ($30 at SkinStore.com) comes with a handy on-the-go brush applicator. The concealer hides imperfections and infuses your skin with long-lasting radiance , even after an intense workout.














The best powder to remain free of shine and oil at the gym.2. The best powder: No matter how sweaty you get after a gym session, Dermablend Professional Setting Powder ($22 at Dermablend.com) is wonderfully smudge-resistant. The loose powder gives your face a flawless finish without irritating it one bit.














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Give this a shot after your workout. 3. The best soothing spray: Before and after your workout, give your face a refreshing spritz of

Will you find love through online dating?The success stories are endless-and so are the horror stories. When talking about online dating, it can be a scary world out there in cyberspace. But when you hear of stories like that of Kristis and Jason Cartozian, cyberspace seems to be exactly the place to find the perfect match.

"I had been in a six year relationship that was going nowhere," says Mrs. Cartozian, a New York-based licensed marriage and family therapist. She had just moved to a new city and, at 30 years old, she was "over" the bar scene.

So, in 2007, she decided to sign up for Match.com. Within months, she met Jason, who happened to live in the very same town. They married less than three years later. "If you go into your online dating journey with an open mind and an open heart, you may just meet the love of your life and best friend all in one," Cartozian says.

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With hundreds of online dating websites to choose from, some based on hobbies, religion, age,